Designs of a Gentleman

The Early Years

by Judith Thomson

Presenting the prequels to the well-received Philip Devalle series, Designs of a Gentleman: The Early Years and The Darker Years introduce the adventurous character we know and love right back at the beginning!

The Early Years - 1662, and Charles 11 has been King for two years. Restoration England is an exciting place of opportunity for an ambitious man and Philip Devalle, the young son of an earl, comes to London determined to make a name for himself. In an age when there is the Plague, the Fire of London and a war against the Dutch there is also religious intolerance - and scheming politicians. In the adventurous years ahead of him Philip will come to discover that there is a sinister side to Court, and will need to be constantly on his guard if he is to survive not only as a soldier in the French army but also as a courtier in England, at the Court of Whitehall, and at the Court of Versailles, ruled over by Louis XlV, the Sun King.

Author news

I shall be signing copies of 'The Distant Hills' at Waterstones in Eastbourne on Wednesday 3rd October between 2 - 4pm.
Would love to meet you there!

Judiththomsonsite.wordpress.com

Book Reviews

Be the first to review this book

About the Author

Judith Thomson

Brought up in Lincolnshire, Judith studied Art in Leicester before moving to Sussex, where she still lives.

She is passionate about the seventeenth century and has gained much inspiration from visits to Paris and Versailles. She has written several stories based around actual events of the period, set in both England and France, and following the lives of some of the same characters.

She likes to paint, enjoys boating on the French canals and scuba diving in the Red Sea. She has helped on a local archaeological dig and enjoys exploring the ancient landscape of Britain as well as following Native American trails in the deserts of southwest U.S.A.

Judith has a blogsite, Judiththomsonblog.wordpress.com where she posts, amongst other things, a monthly blog entitled 350 years ago this month, based on the diaries of Samuel Pepys. She also has a website Judiththomsonsite.wordpress.com and is a Goodreads Author.